This story was captured in conjunction with The Sports Creative at the Max Myers playground in Philadelphia, PA.

We were refugees: We came to America for a better life

My name is Amani Aljuboori; I’m 17 years old; I was born in Baghdad, Iraq, but have lived in America since I was 6. I am a community soccer coach at FC Max Myers, and this August, we have launched a brand new soccer space dedicated to the safe play of children in our community. I’m proud to be a part of this. The new play space is more than a place to play; it allows kids to be active, playing soccer without worrying about the cost of playing. “You never know if you can actually do something against all odds until you actually do it.” This is a famous quote by female soccer player Abby Wambach; this quote has driven me to be the person I am today. Growing up, I faced many challenges that have shaped me in many ways, but I always reflect on this quote and push through. 

I grew up in Iraq, and it was rough - especially from 2006 - 2008 with the war and from 2003 to 2011 with the US occupation. It was a shambles, so with my parents and brothers, I came to America for a better life. We were refugees. In Iraq, I played street soccer. We did not have fancy fields or programs around us. All I could smell was dust and see dust from other buildings that were broken down. It was exciting because it was my playtime. It's when my mom let me go out, and I’d have to return before nightfall. 

Through street soccer, I fell in love with soccer. I would play with my cousins and uncle, but the only girl I can remember playing with was my cousin; the family would call us rough because we played soccer with the boys. I miss my cousin so much. It's a stereotype that girls who play soccer are rough. In Baghdad, after street soccer, our grandma would love to feed us; she was a feeder. It was so special. It showed how much she cared for us. She would force us to eat in a good way. Her favorite thing to feed us was bread soaked in sweet tea. It was tea and biscuits but softer.

I live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I am grateful for my life here. Moving to Philly was different. I missed my family and would cry, but I never felt too alone. Philly is a good city for immigrants. We have a whole Arab community here, Brazilian, Hispanic, and Black communities - people stay connected in Philly. Philly is a good city. I'm more fortunate than others, but Philadelphia has its downsides, like anywhere. There’s a lot of poverty, gun violence, drug abuse, and gang violence. These all can affect the community around us, causing people to get into things they have no business getting into at a young age. We are fortunate to have things that keep us on the right track. 

Having a passion, a commitment causes you to want a future outside of just a sad endgame. When I arrived in Philly, it was snowing, I felt like I was in Antarctica. We had these neighbors up to the block; they had two sons and one daughter. The son was the same age as me, and we became friends. This was helpful as I didn't feel too alone. When I was younger, I was very shy, I struggled a lot with mental health and addiction, which I won’t get into for personal reasons, but when I finally found soccer, it kept me occupied; it was the best thing ever. It gave me the outgoing personality I have now. 

I've never been a D1 athlete, but that never stopped me from playing. Runners get a running high, and I get that from soccer. I've suffered from mental health, and soccer would help me disconnect from reality and escape those problems. I played club soccer in Kensington, and my friend Sky was on an opposing team, which caused fun competitiveness between us. I played soccer and I played softball; these sports were my escape. I knew I wasn’t crazy good, but they gave me balance. I was able to sustain myself for the better, I was focused on school and my future instead of outside factors. 

I remember my first goal ever, and it was in West Kensington in my freshman year. I remember so vividly how it felt. It was a breath of fresh air, having my teammates all around me, jumping on me with joy, and my coach telling me how proud she was of me. I’m so proud that my soccer journey continues as a Community Coach for FC Max Myers and The Sports Creative. I’m learning so much. I aspire to be a person that helps others and gives back no matter what. Someone other people can look up to or at least be proud of. You never know what anyone is going through, but these free sessions give back to the community and to those less fortunate who probably can’t afford fancy club soccer or aren’t old enough to play for school; I just hope that I can give to these kids what soccer has given me.

I am so excited about our new soccer pitch; I have seen love.fútbol’s other plays spaces, and we will be so proud to have ours in the community. I can’t wait to see where this takes us and our community; community is at the heart of it. It will allow us to play more soccer, not just when the weather allows us. It also shows the wider community how much we care and how much we want to give kids these opportunities. I’m so proud we can create this experience for them. Some people say, “Boys are just better at sports.” This doesn’t sit right with me. Girls do more than assist a boy's game, and we score goals against all the odds. 

At the heart of the new soccer cage is our commitment to girls. We won’t let anyone tell us what’s for who. Do what brings you joy, don’t worry about what people say.

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